In Mumbai: Heart transported from Pedder Road to Mulund in 24 minutes

The heart of a 44-year-old woman was transplanted into a 46-year-old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy (weakened heart) on Wednesday. It was the 29th heart transplant in Mumbai this year.

The heart was transported from Jaslok Hospital in Pedder Road to Fortis Hospital in Mulund in 24 minutes.

The traffic department coordinated to make sure the organ reached the recipient in time for the transplant.

The transplant became possible when the 44-year-old patient, was declared brain dead.

The family consented to donate organs of the woman following informed counselling. They agreed to donate her heart, kidneys, liver, skin and corneas. The recipient had been waiting for a new heart for a month. Officials confirmed that this was the 38th successful heart transplant in Maharashtra, putting the state only second to Tamil Nadu.

After the donor’s family consented, traffic authorities laid out the roadmap to make sure that the heart reached its destination quickly. The 28km journey was covered in 24 minutes.

Dr Anvay Mulay, chief of the cardiac transplant team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, “The surgery was successful. The patient is now stable will be kept under observation for the next three days. Donating organs is such a noble deed and it is heartening to see that people have responded so warmly to it.”

Dr S. Narayani, zonal director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund said, “It is heartening to see that people have responded so warmly to organ donations. We remain indebted to the donor’s family. Their decision and support is what enabled our team of deoctors to condusct another successful transplant. We saved another life. We feel humbled.”